Pause, Check and Verify Before You Transfer Money
Property scams can happen through fake listings, impersonation, urgent payment requests and pressure tactics. Before you pay, sign or share sensitive documents, slow down and verify through official and trusted channels.
Why property scam awareness matters
A property decision often involves deposits, rent, option fees, identity documents, CPF planning, bank loans and family savings. Scammers exploit urgency, attractive prices and trust in familiar platforms. The safest starting point is simple: do not rush the payment, verify the person, verify the property, and verify the payment channel.
The 3-step safety rule
Use this simple rule before you transfer money, share sensitive documents or commit to a property arrangement.
Pause
Do not act immediately because a listing looks cheap, popular or urgent. Scammers often create pressure so victims do not have time to verify.
Check
Check the person’s identity, CEA registration, phone number, agency details, listing source, property details and payment instructions using trusted channels.
Verify
Verify with official sources, the licensed estate agent, the landlord, seller, developer, law firm, bank or relevant authority before transferring money.
Property scam safety checklist
Before you pay any deposit, viewing fee, rent, option fee, commission or other property-related money, check these items first.
Common warning signs
“Pay first to secure viewing”
Be alert when you are asked to pay a fee or deposit before viewing the property or verifying the owner, landlord or agent.
Too good to be true
A very low price, unusually generous terms or unrealistic urgency may be used to stop you from checking properly.
Impersonation risk
Scammers may use the name, photo or CEA number of a real salesperson while communicating from a different phone number.
Unverified payment account
Be cautious if payment is requested to a third-party account, personal assistant, friend, relative or unrelated person.
Rushed digital signing
Do not sign documents or transfer money simply because someone says there are many competing buyers or tenants.
Avoiding official checks
Be careful if someone discourages you from contacting the agency, landlord, lawyer, bank, developer or official source.
Rental scam awareness
Rental scams often involve fake listings, impersonation of property agents, pressure to pay before viewing, or requests to transfer deposits to unverified accounts. Tenants should verify the person, the listing and the payment channel before paying.
Safer tenant checks
- Verify the salesperson on the CEA Public Register.
- Check whether the phone number matches official records.
- Ask to verify the listing through the licensed estate agent.
- Do not pay to view a property.
- Do not pay deposits into unrelated or unverified accounts.
Safer landlord checks
- Be alert to unauthorised reposting of your unit.
- Use proper documentation for tenancy matters.
- Clarify who is marketing the unit and under what authority.
- Keep communication and payment records properly.
- Report suspicious impersonation or fake listings promptly.
Who should receive payment?
The right payee depends on the transaction type and documentation. Never rely only on a chat message for payment instructions. Always verify through proper channels.
| Payment type | Safer principle | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Viewing fee | Do not pay just to view a property. | Urgent requests for “refundable viewing deposit”. |
| Rental deposit or rent | Verify landlord and tenancy details. Pay through proper, verifiable channels. | Payment to personal assistants, unrelated accounts or unverified PayNow numbers. |
| Commission | Commission should be paid to the licensed estate agent/property agency where applicable. | Payment to an individual salesperson’s personal account. |
| Option fee or purchase monies | Follow proper legal, agency, developer or authorised transaction channels. | Instructions from unverified chats, unknown links or informal third parties. |
| Stamp duty or legal fees | Verify with IRAS, the law firm or the proper official channel. | Paying based on forwarded screenshots or unofficial payment links. |
Before you share personal documents
Property transactions may eventually require identity, income, CPF, loan or ownership documents. But sensitive documents should not be sent casually before the person, purpose and channel are verified.
If you suspect a property scam
Stop communication
Do not send more money, documents, one-time passwords or personal information. Save the messages and payment details.
Secure your accounts
If you shared passwords, OTPs or banking details, contact your bank immediately and secure your email, messaging and payment accounts.
Report through proper channels
Refer to ScamShield and Police guidance for scam reporting and next steps. Keep records such as screenshots, phone numbers, bank accounts and URLs.
Frequently asked questions
Is this an official government scam advisory?
No. This is independent consumer awareness content by UProperty.sg. Always verify latest scam guidance through official sources such as CEA, Singapore Police Force and ScamShield.
Should I pay money before viewing a rental property?
Be very cautious. Official advisories have warned consumers not to pay deposits or fees before proper verification and viewing. Verify the listing, the person and the payment instructions first.
Can scammers impersonate real property agents?
Yes. A scammer may use the name, photo or registration number of a real salesperson but communicate using another phone number. Search the CEA Public Register and verify through the licensed estate agent using trusted contact details.
Should commission be paid directly to a salesperson?
Commission, where applicable, should be paid to the licensed estate agent/property agency, not to an individual salesperson’s personal account.
Does contacting UProperty.sg appoint Andrew Koh as my agent?
No. Submitting an enquiry does not automatically appoint UProperty.sg, Andrew Koh, OrangeTee & Tie or any salesperson as your property agent. A formal estate agency engagement, where applicable, must be separately agreed and documented.
Official references
For the latest and official guidance, refer directly to these sources:
Before you transfer, slow the process down.
A genuine property process should allow proper verification. If the listing, person, document or payment instruction cannot be verified clearly, pause before proceeding.
Andrew Koh is a CEA-registered real estate salesperson in Singapore. CEA Registration Number: R018334F. Registered estate agent: OrangeTee & Tie. Any estate agency work, where applicable, is conducted through OrangeTee & Tie and subject to CEA rules, OrangeTee & Tie procedures and applicable law.
Readers should verify the latest information with official sources and seek qualified professional advice where required. No property outcome, scam recovery outcome, enforcement outcome, transaction completion, loan approval, rental yield, capital appreciation, CPF outcome, tax outcome, legal outcome or regulatory approval is guaranteed.
Last reviewed: 14 June 2026.